retiredmartin

July 2025. Arborfield Green. Berkshire.

Ah, Berkshire brewery taps. How long have I yearned to tick you, thwarted by your resolute Friday/Saturday opening hours.

So let joy be unconfined as I get a Saturday away from Waterbeach to finally do the elusive Elusive and discover the less exciting housing development at Arborfield Green.

The GBG puts the industrial estate in Finchampstead but to you and me it’s Reading overspill,

a new build estate with blokes in shorts, dog walkers, and ambitiously priced eggs benny in the only cafe or pub.

The OS map can make anywhere look exciting, even Maidenhead 10 miles to the north,

but this is not the Berkshire of Windsor or Newbury.

And a GBG entry at the end of an industrial estate where the excitement comes from MOT testing is hard to love.

But it’s Elusive, one of my favourite brewers, though they lack the excitement of neighbours Siren who’ve brought out the bouncy castle and animals to try and get themselves in the Guide.

Elusive have no needs for gimmicks. They’ve got Nintendo game consoles,

and a handpump.

Oh, an unused handpump, in use only on special occasions. If Retired Martin visiting isn’t a special occasion there’s no hope for us.

Keg (or is it key keg, no one cares) Oregon Trail is fine, the young lad at the bar is a gem, the seating is, um, and acquired taste.

I’ve never played Nintendo. I’m not starting now.

Can you still play Missile Control ? I liked that.